Traffic congestion in Austria arises due to motorcycle enthusiasts and the conclusion of holiday travel periods.
As the holiday season comes to a close in parts of Germany, Austria is gearing up for an influx of travelers returning from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and other popular destinations. One of the major events contributing to the increased traffic is the European Bike Week, which runs until Sunday, September 7.
The event, held at Faaker See, is expected to attract up to 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, causing significant congestion around Villach, Feldkirchen, and the lake in Carinthia. To help alleviate some of the pressure, additional traffic routes have been added. The B151 Attersee Road and the B169 Zillertal Road, for instance, are now open for traffic.
The Pyhrn Motorway (A9), the West Motorway (A1) near Salzburg, and the South Motorway (A2) in the Graz and Vienna areas are also heavily burdened. Specific hotspots include the St. Michael Interchange, Gleinalm Tunnel, Spielfeld border on the A9, Graz, and Guntramsdorf - Vienna on the A2.
The Tauern Motorway (A10) is expected to be the number one traffic hotspot, with longer wait times at tunnel sections and toll booths in the greater Salzburg area and sections leading to Carinthia. Starting Saturday morning, traffic jams and delays are expected on the Tauern Motorway, the Inntal Motorway (A12), and the Brenner Motorway (A13).
In Vorarlberg, several events are likely to cause significant traffic congestion. On Saturday, September 7, the ESF+ Roadshow will take place at Kornmarktplatz in Bregenz from 9 am to 5 pm. The Schaffarei Festival in Feldkirch, which ends on September 6, may also affect traffic due to crowds over the weekend. Additionally, the Ritterturnier zu Pferde (knight tournament on horseback) at Burg Clam, running through the weekend (September 6-7), is expected to draw crowds, causing delays on access roads.
The Herbstmesse Dornbirn is another event likely to cause delays in Vorarlberg, with crowds expected until the end of the fair on Sunday. To accommodate this, the B177 Seefelder Road has been added as a traffic route.
Border wait times are also expected, both towards Germany and when entering Austria at Nickelsdorf, Spielfeld, and the Karawanken Tunnel. Late vacationers traveling south as early as the beginning of September will cause additional congestion on the routes to Italy and Croatia, especially on Saturday.
Travelers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for their travels. Keep updated with the latest traffic news and enjoy a safe journey!
